This is a bit OT but still automotive related. If you want to get your kids into go kart racing, feel free to post here or PM me. We race with the Waterloo Regional Kart Club https://www.wrkc.on.ca/, it’s a volunteer based non profit racing club that happens to be the largest one in Canada. The club’s home track is at Flamboro Speedway. There are 13 races each season (averaging one race every two weekends), plus one more, the Octoberfest Grand Prix. Spectators are free to attend any of the races. Come and have a look, my tow rig is a grey VW Passat.

Since this is the 4th season that my son started go kart racing, and is my 4th season fixing what he breaks. I now know enough to help out anyone that has any questions how to get started in 4 stroke go kart racing. Hey, its cheaper than hockey!

 

I've given it some thought for my kids (ages 9/11) through Goodwood Kartways (http://goodwoodkartways.com/) as I live in Uxbridge. For now it's still baseball, soccer and whatever else keeps them outdoors but will reconsider for next summer. Glad you and your son are enjoying it. Cheers.

 

we stopped by goodwood on the way to jumpers place one year .. holy crap what a nice track , and those kids were flying...
Sadly that day trip was remembered for so many wrong reasons...

 

Any kart club is a good start. With a membership you can go to other clubs and race too without paying extra for not being that club's member. By far, the Region oaf Waterloo Kart Club is the cheapest to join and race at, and is the largest in Canada. We just happened to be only 30 minutes away from their home track and that's why we joined them. The club races rain or shine (unless there is too much standing water on the track) so they will learn kart control in every condition other than snow. Great thing to have when they get their driver's license. We were at the track yesterday evening practicing. $30 and you can drive as long as the sun is up or the kid's arms fall off.

 

Innisfil Indy is a great place. Great family running it. All around great for kids. Awesome track as well.

 

I do the arrive n drive at Goodwood. It’s an absolute blast and I can make up days if I have scheduling conflicts. Awesome guys, and you walk away. Tip, get your own helmet, gloves and suit..

 

I did the Goodwood league last year with a few friends but sadly the service level is just appalling. None of us are returning this year.

On the other hand we will be trying out the Hamilton track, so we'll see how that goes.

 

I've done Mosport and Goodwood with my 9year old and our Briggs Cadet. Tons of fun for the family. They also have a decent arrive-and drive program starting at 7yrs old.

 

From what I've heard from visiting Mosport karters, the atmosphere at Mosport is downright cold compared to what the WRKC has. People are extremely comparative, lots of hired professional help that brings the secrecy with it and because of this the place is not overall not really friendly. So if you want to have some fun while karting come visit the WRKC at Flamboro Speedway on Most Saturdays between May and October.

Although this year my son and I can more relate tot he Williams team than the Mercedes team, we are still having fun and learning how to squeeze a couple of tenths our of each lap between race weekends. It's getting tough but we will do it as long as he is willing to help.

 

Thats pretty awesome, my son mentioned to me that he would be interested in karting. I'll be looking more into all of this for sure.

 

As a new adult in the Arrive n Drive, my fav thing about it is I can choose a night ( Thurs ) but if I can’t make it, all is not lost. I travel a lot for work, so being part of a Thursday night league and being able to make up points any other day of the week is nice. Plus it’s turn key once you have gear. To top it of, I made a few friends there and it’s a nice night out.

Thinking about my kids, it seems quite competitive the second you buy a kart and advance from Arrive n drive. Looks like mini F1. Quite intimidating at first glance. Trailers, teams, you name it. Seem like every other Rep Team weekend community kid sports.

 

It can appear that way at first glance but not everyone is throwing stupid money at it. My son and I use an old utility trailer and the tow vehicle is an '05 Passat . We have everything we need (spare parts, tools extra gear, etc.) in the car during the racing season and that's all. Money, giant trailers, personal mechanics doesn't buy a win but it sure can help to get there but it is not needed to have fun. Until last year he was on the podium more often than not (WRKC podium is for the top 5 finishes) so having a tiny budget and some know-how goes a long way. He was on the same podium as the driver that spends thousands a year and only knows how to drive if the kart/weather conditions are perfect. You get a lot better driver out of someone that learns to drive with less than optimal equipment as they will learn now to squeeze every little bit out of what they have. Also, they will learn and truly appreciate what it takes to finally earn a win under those conditions. A kid will learn life lessons that hopefully will stick with him/her (some of the fastest drivers in our club are girls) for life. The 4 stroke karts that we race are the most economical kart racing that's out there. A lot less expensive than 2 strokes or shifter karts. It is a commitment to buy a kart and go racing but unless you buy brand new (never do that until the driver is good enough to make a difference) you will always get most if not all the money back if you sell them. 4 stroke karting is a lot cheaper than hockey especially once you buy the kart, the following season the expenses drop significantly. A descent race ready kart with a stands and some pare parts (sprockets, clutches, set of rain tires on rims, etc) is around $1500-$2000. You can buy a good used race suit, rib/ neck protector, gloves $200, new shoes that don't have laces at Walmart for $30 and a new helmet for for under $200 (HJC CL-17 is Snell rated and approved for karting). Membership is $100 a year and each race at the WRKC is $65. With that membership, you can go to other clubs (Mosport, Goodwood, Hamilton, etc.) and only have to pay for the race day fees. As you can see, it isn't that expensive and once you spend the money to buy everything, the maintenance costs are hardly any. A set of tire will last at least 2-3 seasons, oil changes are $5.

 

Jeez, I'd forgotten all about that poor lady. We were travelling together for miles then she just disappeared. Awful.